If we loved each other, then why did things end up the way they did?
Brackenfur loved you, and Squirrelflight loved me, but we didn't love them back, at least not the way we should have. I loved you, and if the feeling is mutual, why aren't we mates now? It doesn't make any sense.
When Squirrelflight and I were fighting—about Hawkfrost, when the clans first came to the lake—you spent all your time with Brackenfur. You were expecting his kits. It tore my heart out; I thought you'd forgotten me. I thought you had moved on, left me alone.
But you didn't. I could see it in your eyes that you still thought about me. Couldn't you see it in mine? We were meant for each other, so why did we part? You would have understood. You wouldn't have made judgments based on a cat's birth. You didn't judge me, even though Tigerstar's ally Darkstripe almost killed you. Anyone would think you would have had something against me, but you didn't.
I saw the hurt in your eyes when Squirrelflight told me she was expecting kits. I saw the pain that I had felt when you said you were expecting Brackenfur's. You didn't know it hurt that much, did you? To think the one you loved no longer felt the same way.
It was lies, anyway, all lies. They were Leafpool's kits. You wouldn't have lied to me. You would have trusted me.
Is it too late? Squirrelflight and I…well, you saw what happened. Is it too late for us to be together?
It is.
You don't love Brackenfur, but he loves you, and you've had his kits. You don't love him, but you can't bring yourself to hurt him. I understand.
Just know, Sorreltail, that you are the one who occupies my thoughts and haunts my dreams….